Livestock Protection Dogs

Wildlife Services supports innovative and effective approaches for managing conflicts between humans and wildlife. One potentially valuable strategy is the use of livestock protection (guarding) dogs (LPD's).

LPD breeds originated in Europe and Asia, where they have been used for centuries to protect livestock from wolves and bears. LPD's have been used in the United States since the mid-1970s. They are large dogs (80-120 pounds) and are usually all white or fawn colored with dark muzzles. Some of the more common breeds are Great Pyrenees (France), Komondor (Hungary), Akbash dog and Anatolian shepherd (Turkey), and Maremma (Italy).

Unlike herding dogs, LPD's do not usually herd sheep. Acting independently of humans, protection dogs stay with or near livestock most of the time and aggressively repel predators. Genetics and proper-rearing both contribute to the makeup of a successful LPD. Some livestock guarding dogs do not adequately carry out their protective role. Failures can generally be attributed to improper rearing or acquiring the dog after it is too old for training. Some dogs, however, don’t work well despite having been reared properly.

Research and surveys indicate that about three-fourths of trained dogs become good guardians. Knowing what a good guarding dog is and how to raise one correctly can help producers be sure they get the best possible service from their dogs.